Frome Valley Voice January 2024

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

January, 2024 Issue 123 FREE EVERY MONTH IN WINTERBOURNE, FRAMPTON COTTERELL, COALPIT HEATH, IRON ACTON & WINTERBOURNE DOWN

Cat's 10-year trek

A CAT found wandering near Hambrook was 40 miles from home - and had been missing for 10 years.

PAGE 7

Pub plans passed

Two more years of this DRIVERS are facing two more years of delays and diversions as the bridge carrying the main road from the Frome Valley to Bristol is demolished and replaced.

National Highways says the concrete bridge carrying the A432 Badminton Road over the M4 is no longer safe for use by vehicles, as pieces could fall onto motorway traffic below if it was used again.

The 57-year-old structure cannot be repaired

- and a temporary replacement will not be built while the work is underway.

A new bridge will not be ready until early 2026 - a timescale the agency says is "much shorter than normal".

South Gloucestershire Council is planning to take another look at diversions and will ask residents for their views in the New Year.

Full story: Pages 4 & 5

PLANS to convert former Frampton Cotterell pub the Live and Let Live into a Co-op and homes have been approved.

PAGE 3

Preschool is good

THE hard work of staff to improve a Frampton Cotterell pre-school has been recognised by an inspector.

PAGE 6

Burglary charges TWO men have appeared in court in connection with a series of break-ins at eight shops and small businesses.

PAGE 2

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January, 2024

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TWO men have appeared in court in connection with a series of breakins at eight shops and small businesses.

The raids happened over three nights in October on businesses in South Gloucestershire villages.

The Voice understands local shops were targeted, by having front windows smashed and tills raided.

Among the shops affected were Fifteen Barbers in Woodend Road, Coalpit Heath, Magnolia Mews coffee shop in Church Road, Frampton Cotterell, and Fairbanks chip shop in Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourne.

Inspector Steve Davey said the arrests were carried out by officers from Avon and Somerset’s Operation Remedy, a unit working on burglary, knife crime and the illegal supply of controlled drugs.

He said: "Burglary is a priority area for us, and we know it's something our communities want us to focus on.

"We are working extremely hard to identify the perpetrators of these incidents, which is why it's vitally important that businesses report these types of incidents to police, no matter how minor they may appear."

A police spokesperson said Robert Prosser, aged 45, of no fixed address, and 37-year-old Martin White, of Radnor Road, Bishopston, Bristol, were both charged with eight counts of burglary and one count of aggravated vehicle taking in connection with the incidents.

Prosser was also charged with two counts of possessing class A drugs and failing to stop for police.

White was also charged with common assault.

The police say the charges relate to burglaries at eight businesses across South Gloucestershire over a three-day period between October 22 and 24.

The men appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 22 November where they entered not guilty pleas. The trial will take place next year.

130 drink-drive arrests POLICE arrested 130 people during the first two weeks of the winter drink and drug-driving enforcement campaign, Operation Tonic.

Avon and Somerset’s roads policing team promised to be "out in force" until the New Year, carrying out roadside checks and talking to motorists about the dangers of drink and drug driving.

They have called on members of the public to contact them if they suspect someone is driving while intoxicated, so officers can use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and CCTV information to look for them on the roads network.

Drink and drug driving was a factor in a third of road traffic collisions in 2021, leading to the deaths of 12 people in the Avon & Somerset force area.

Roads policing lead Inspector Rob Barker said: "If you know someone that regularly drinks or takes drugs and gets behind the wheel, then your action - or inaction - could make a real difference to the well-being of other road users.

“Your report could prevent serious consequences by helping us take a dangerous and irresponsible driver off the road before they can cause harm."

Police are calling on anyone who suspects someone drives under the influence of drink or drugs, to call 101, report it online via the force website or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

People should call 999 if the suspect is on the road at the time.

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fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

3

n NEWS

Co-op plans for Live and Let Live approved PLANS to convert former Frampton Cotterell pub the Live and Let Live into a Co-op and homes have been approved, despite fears the new store could force other shops out of business.

South Gloucestershire Council's development management committee agreed, by 5 votes to 4, to grant permission for the new store, a house, three flats above the shop and a bungalow in December.

The shop would be built on the former pub's car park in Clyde Road, while the pub itself, which closed four years ago and has been empty ever since, would be converted into a house.

Members had deferred the decision at a previous meeting in October to get more information about the likely impact on nearby shops.

Officers concluded the proposals would not significantly harm the local centre or lead to any nearby shops closing.

But Edwina Pennell, who manages the family-run Village Roots Budgens shop and post office in Woodend Road, Coalpit Heath, told the committee that her store would not survive if the plans went ahead.

She said: “This store means everything to us – our whole family relies on it.

“This is our livelihood. We don’t have pensions, we’ve always believed we would be running that store.

“We used to be supplied by the Co-op.

"When we saw their application we decided to leave them because we were so disgusted that they had decided to try to open a store in direct competition to us.

“It is clear they have always

The Live and Let Live closed in 2019

wanted to take our post office and our store away from us and carry on in our place, returning to the store they abandoned 34 years ago.

“It has been incredibly stressful running the post office and it has taken us six years’ learning, making mistakes, to build it into the vibrant post office it is today, which is very important to our residents.

“Co-op clearly know that if they move in, the post office will close.”

Local planning consultant Stuart Rackham said a petition opposing the development had been signed by 470 residents.

He said assessments of the retail impact in the report to the committee were flawed and exposed the council to the threat of a judicial review.

Frampton Cotterell ward

councillor Jon Lean said the report “paints a bleak picture” for shopkeepers, and called for the decision to be delayed again because key information was still missing.

But Tristan Hutton, partner at Alder King property consultants, representing applicants Westcoast Convenience Ltd, said council officers agreed the new store would not lead to the closure of an existing shop.

He said that in the unlikely event that the post office closed, the Co-op would open one at its new outlet.

South Gloucestershire Council senior planning officer Suzanne D’Arcy told members there was a “real chance” the developers would launch an appeal, with the authority liable for full costs, if a decision was Developers' image of the new Co-op.

Picture: UAN

deferred again because the decision deadline had passed and “three viability reports all say the same thing”.

Committee member June Bamford (Con, Hanham) said: “I would have preferred housing there and not a retail outlet.

“I do understand the concerns - it’s their livelihoods they’re worried about - but I don’t think any planning inspector would agree with refusal.

“We cannot defer it again. We have to bite the bullet and make our decision.”

John Bradbury (Lab, Bradley Stoke South) said: “I know this development is going to hit the people who run other shops in the area but – I hate to say this, it pains me to say this – if there is competition set up then that is the free market in operation.”

There were 76 objections from residents, with 20 letters of support.

The report to committee on December 7 said reopening the pub was not viable.

Officers said: “While it is accepted that the closure of an existing shop cannot be ruled out in the long term, it is difficult to justify that this would be the direct result of the proposed convenience store.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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fromevalleyvoice

4

January, 2024

n NEWS

Bridge should have lasted 120 years THE Badminton Road M4 overbridge was opened in 1966, and was designed to last 120 years.

But in less than half of that time, National Highways has decided that it needs to be demolished and replaced.

The bridge, which carries the A432 between the Avon Ring Road and Yate, was being used by a around 16,000 vehicles a day when it closed.

The M4 underneath it carries around 87,000 vehicles a day.

Before work can start on demolition, services including electricity cables, water mains, BT fibre optic cables and gas mains all have to be moved and buried in trenches under the M4.

The Highways Authority say the timescale will be: January 2024: ecology work and habitats February 2024: ground investigations and boring.

March to May 2024 : moving and re-routing pipes and cables Summer/Autumn 2024: demolition Late 2024: New build starts Early 2026: New bridge opens.

National Highways route manager Sean Walsh said the demolition will happen in a 60-hour window when the M4 will be closed, so they can remove the central span of the structure.

At other times there will be ongoing lane closures on the M4 and overnight closures for the rest of the work.

Mr Walsh said: "The build is a 12 to 18-month project – much shorter than normal, as we realise the importance of accelerating this build."

He said National Highways is

responsible for 2,200 structures in the South West - 164 are similar 'post-tension' structures like the Badminton Road bridge, which is the only one with major issues.

Mr Walsh added: "In 16 years in this job, this is the only bridge I’ve seen that has this magnitude of work needed.

"It’s very rare we have to demolish and rebuild a whole bridge - this is the only one in the region.”

He said the 120-year design life was predicted when traffic numbers, lorry sizes and other factors were all very different to today.

Engineering team manager Terry Robinson said all road bridges undergo ongoing maintenance during their lifetime and, behind the scenes, teams were always working to do this.

But the issues found by inspectors in the summer were exceptional.

He said: “The examination showed structural cracks going right through the bridge.

"We’ve been working solidly since (Above) A picture released by National Highways shows cracks on the bottom of the bridge. (Below) National Highways route July to examine the bridge and find manager Sean Walsh talks to journalists out how bad the problems are, and what the possible solutions are.

"The bridge is not unsafe and is not at risk of collapse, but it’s unable to carry heavy traffic.

"Traffic will cause the carriageway to move and because of the cracks, that could result in a piece of concrete landing on the M4 below, so that is why it has to be closed now.

"We have assessed it as perfectly safe for pedestrians and cyclists.

"We’re speeding things as quickly as we can to get the bridge back open as soon as possible.

"The whole program has been condensed, as we know it’s important to local people."

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January, 2024

5

n NEWS

Fresh look at diversions as two-year M4 bridge replacement project announced HIGHWAYS bosses are promising a fresh look at traffic diversions after confirming a bridge on the main road between the Frome Valley and Bristol will stay closed for at least two years.

National Highways says the bridge carrying the A432 Badminton Road over the M4 has to be demolished, and a new one built in its place.

The road is unlikely to reopen until early 2026, meaning at least two years' more major disruption for people travelling towards Bristol, and for people living along diversion routes.

National Highways says the old bridge, which was closed in July amid safety concerns, will never reopen.

It will be pulled down in the summer or autumn of 2024, and a new bridge built in its place by spring of 2026.

The bridge next to the Wick Wick roundabout, where the A432 Badminton Road meets the A4174 Avon Ring Road, was found to have “accelerated deterioration and cracking" in its concrete during a routine safety inspection.

The closure effectively cut off the main route from Yate, Coalpit Heath and Frampton Cotterell to the ring road and Bristol, resulting 16,000 vehicles a day being diverted through unsuitable country roads.

Detailed inspections concluded that the bridge is not an immediate risk to users of the M4 passing underneath, but would soon become unsafe if traffic was allowed to continue crossing over it.

South Gloucestershire Council leader Claire Young said council road engineers will work with National Highways to review all diversion routes, to help smooth traffic movement around the area.

The Frampton Cotterell ward councillor said: "We are as disappointed as residents are to hear this news, although we recognise National Highways are acting as a matter of safety in the interest of all bridge and motorway users.

"Our highways team is working closely with National Highways and will continue to work to keep people moving as freely as possible around the area and will endeavor to help fill any transport gaps where possible."

Speed concerns

People living and working on diversion routes through Hambrook to the west and Henfield to the east have complained of speeding drivers, road rage and many minor accidents.

Some spoke about their concerns at Westerleigh Parish Council in November, when Cllr Young attended.

She told the meeting four times as many vehicles as usual were using Henfield Road since the diversion had been put in place.

Cllr Young said police officers were looking

Highways Agency workers on the M4, examining the underside of the Badminton Road overbridge at enforcing speed limits after complaints of speeding through 30mph lanes in the area.

Five members of the public spoke at the meeting about traffic volume, speeding, HGVs and verge deterioration along Henfield Road and Ram Hill.

They said it was dangerous to walk or ride horses along Ram Hill, or to pull safely out of driveways due to the volume and speed of traffic, and Ram Hill was being used as a cut through to avoid queuing traffic.

In December flooding made matters worse, causing a flurry of complaints on social media.

At various points Perrinpit Road in Frampton, Swan Lane in Winterbourne, the Old Gloucester Road between Winterbourne and Frampton, and Henfield Road have all been closed by floods, resulting in further diversions onto small, often single-track lanes.

Westerleigh Parish Council chair Rob McCullough told the Voice many measures, including new traffic lights in Henfield Road, had helped but there have been knock on effects, for example Ram Hill being used as a cut-through, despite being single-lane in places.

Rob said: “There are simple adjustments that could be made now that will help.

“For instance, running a white line along the middle of Henfield Road, reopening the right turn at the Hambrook lights, some sort of measures along Ram Hill, and better signage to stop non-local HGVs from using Henfield Road/Station Road.”

“Henfield Road will remain a key artery for

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locals for the next two years, so it’s essential that it stays open, even during bad weather.

"I would also highlight that once the bridge has been demolished a safeguarded route for pedestrians and cyclists will need to be worked out.”

Temporary bridge not possible

Government agency National Highways, which is responsible for the bridge as part of the motorway network, said the replacement will be 20 metres (66ft) wide, and will “allow for more sustainable transport options to be considered”.

National Highways route manager Sean Walsh said the bridge demolition and rebuild would be a “multi-million-pound” project of great complexity.

He said due to timescales and costs, it is also not possible to install a temporary bridge during the works.

Mr Walsh said: "We are working with partners to expedite the process as quickly as possible.

"We fully understand the disruption the closure has and will cause, and we thank people for their patience as we move this project forward as soon as possible.

"We will continue to work with South Gloucestershire Council to help manage the impact of the closure and to progress with the bridge replacement."

South Gloucestershire Council is planning to hold a public event to enable local people to have an input early in the year.

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fromevalleyvoice

6

January, 2024

n NEWS

Preschool's drive to improve is recognised THE hard work of staff to improve a Frampton Cotterell pre-school has been recognised by an inspector.

Zion Community Preschool has been rated as 'good' by Ofsted after making “significant improvements”.

A year ago the regulator said the preschool, based at Zion Church hall in Woodend Road, needed to make changes to its quality of education.

But following an inspection in November, Ofsted has upgraded the preschool's rating from 'requires improvement' to 'good' in all areas - quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.

Inspector Charlotte Jenkin said: "The manager and staff have made significant

Staff and children from Zion Community Preschool in Frampton Cotterell improvements to their practice since the last inspection.

"They have worked closely with the local authority and

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attended training and support sessions to improve the curriculum.

"Staff now place a high focus on developing children's communication and language skills and ensuring that children have access to all areas of learning."

The report said manger Vicky Glanville and her team monitor children's progress carefully and put in place support to help children catch up when any gaps in learning are identified, helping youngsters to gain the knowledge and skills they need for starting school.

The inspector said: "The manager is now clear about her curriculum intent and how she delivers a balanced curriculum that covers the areas of learning.

"She places a strong emphasis on promoting children's social, communication and language skills."

The inspector found that the environment was "language rich", and adults and children readily engaged in conversations.

Staff were also skilled at weaving early mathematics into children's play.

Her report said staff training has had a positive impact on children's learning. For example, staff have introduced a sensory area for children to have some quiet time if needed.

The inspector said: "Staff have clear areas for development in order to make improvements to practice.

"They are all attending training on using hand signs to support all children's communication and language consistently."

Staff regularly encourage children to talk about how they are feeling, and they offer support when they are unsettled, such as by reading their favourite story, the report found.

The inspector said: "Children's behaviour is very good.

"Staff give them lots of praise and encouragement, and children persevere with tasks until they succeed. Children learn to share and take turns with staff, who use sand timers to support this."

Arrangements for safeguarding were effective, the report found.

Partnerships with parents were said to be positive, with parents reporting that they know their children's next steps and are pleased with the progress they have made, particularly in their speech and language and confidence.

The inspector said: "Parents say that communication with staff is very good and that they are very approachable to talk to at any time."

The inspector said the preschool could further improve by gaining more detail from parents when there are outside agencies involved with a family, and provide more support to engage younger children in learning.

The committee-run preschool first registered in 1970 and currently has 16 children on its roll.

Vicky said staff had worked hard since Ofsted's previous visit to make suggested changes.

She said: "I couldn't be prouder of my team - it is brilliant to be awarded with this result.

“Myself and the staff have worked extremely hard over the last year, attending various training courses and working closely with the Early Years team.

"I will continue to push the Pre-School forward alongside my brilliant staff."

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fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

7

n NEWS

Missing cat found after 10 years - 40 miles from home A CAT that went missing for 10 years has been reunited with its owner after being found wandering near Hambrook, more than 40 miles from home.

Archie was found by Emily Williams and a group of friends from Downend, as they went for a walk.

He looked dishevelled and hungry and, acting on instinct, Emily decided he needed help.

Emily, a professional photographer, had decided to take a half-hour break from work in late November to have a walk with some friends.

As they walked along the old Bromley Heath Road at Moorend, Emily noticed Archie as they passed through an underpass, under the M4.

She said: "My friends know I love cats - I've got two at home so they stopped while I gave the cat a little tickle, and it started to follow me.

"We started knocking on doors but no-one knew who it belonged to."

Emily enlisted the help of a local horse owner, who put Archie in the back of their car while she ran home to grab her cat carrier.

Emily then took the cat to her friend Sophia GibbsFoyle, who runs charity Dogs' Friends and has a scanner which

Archie back home with Suz Gamlin. Picture: Claire Gamlin confirmed Archie had been microchipped, with an owner's name and phone number that was no longer in service.

From there Archie went to Vets for Pets at Emersons Green, where staff were able to contact the chip company and found the vet's practice he was previously registered to - 41 miles away in Taunton.

Emily said: "The vet told me he'd been collected, then they said he's been missing for ten years, and he's from Taunton!

Archie in a cage after being found by Emily Williams near Bromley Heath. Picture: Emily Williams

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He's somehow travelled 40 miles."

The Somerset vet had up-todate contact details for Claire Gamlin, who lives in the town and registered Archie for her daughter, Suz. Claire told the Voice: "When I first got the phone call from the vet it didn't actually sink in, because it's been ten years. I looked at my daughter and said 'a black and white cat'?

"We were both shocked and gobsmacked - we're in Taunton, he's got to Bristol and it's been ten years.

"We would like to know the adventure he's been on."

Claire said Archie was about three years old when he disappeared - they had taken him on aged around 18 months when his previous owner, in Weston-super-Mare, had been unable to keep him.

The day he vanished he had been fed and let out but didn't come back.

The family put up posters and Suz carried on searching for him for years.

Claire said: "It took my daughter ages to give up looking for him but the years went on and we just thought that sadly something must have happened to him.

"To find out he's alive and

kicking and get him home, right near Christmas as well - it's good to have some good news."

Claire said Archie has been making himself at home and is not perturbed by the four other cats that Suz, who is 31 and has Asperger's and autism, has taken on since he went on his decade-long adventure.

She said: "It's like he's never been away - he was straight in the kitchen, eating out of the bowls, then he jumped up on my son's lap.

"He recognised my daughter when she collected him - he came straight over.

"Her cats are her babies, and since he's been home he's been very spoiled - he'll get back to his normal size and will be looking like Garfield in no time.

"It's lucky he was microchipped - but it's mad that no-one checked the owner until now.

"You usually just see this in movies."

Emily, who runs her own business, Emily Beer Photography, got in touch with Claire via Facebook.

She had shared pictures of Archie with members of the Heathboard Facebook group while she was trying to find out who his owner was.

Once Claire and Suz had been found, Emily shared the news of Archie's amazing homecoming in a video, which also appeared on her Instagram page the_disorganisedmum.

She said: "I felt the need to update everyone, and after that it all went a bit crazy.

"It's just lush what's happened.

"The bit I can't get my head around is, where has that cat been for the last ten years?

"He was dirty and they like to be clean.

"He was very hungry and had some sores but after ten years you'd expect a cat to become feral - he was so friendly, it was like he was asking me for help.

"It just shows the importance of getting your cat chipped and making sure all your details are kept up-to-date."

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

8

January, 2024

n NEWS

'Serious concerns' over fire response AVON Fire & Rescue Service is “inadequate” at responding to emergencies – the worst possible rating - according to a damning report.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services says it has “serious concerns” about how the service keeps people safe from fire and other risks.

A report said its mobilisation system, which records information and dispatches firefighters to incidents, “isn’t reliable and crashes during 999 calls, which results in the public receiving a slower response to emergencies”.

On one occasion it crashed during a request for help from the ambulance service following a serious road traffic collision.

Crashes had been reported 20 times in a year but had "happened many more times", with some workers no longer formally reporting them.

In her report inspector Wendy Williams said the service does not have an effective system to record up-to-date risk information, including details of tower blocks.

She raised concerns about fire prevention work after finding that residents at greater

risk were not prioritised for home safety visits, which were decided instead on location and convenience.

Ms Williams also raised concerns about service culture and said staff in some teams demonstrated “unacceptable behaviours, such as using sexist or inappropriate language and disguising this as banter”, adding: "Worryingly, some staff don’t have the confidence to report these issues."

The report was published days before an employment tribunal found a female firefighter based at Avonmouth fire station had been subjected to sex discrimination, harassment and unfair dismissal.

The government watchdog assessed how well AFRS performed in 11 areas and rated it as inadequate in four – understanding fire and risk, preventing fire and risk, responding to fires and emergencies, and promoting values and culture.

Five others "require improvement" and two were rated "adequate", with none “good” or "outstanding".

The inspectorate has placed the service in an enhanced level of monitoring to help it address “causes of concern”.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton admitted

that the report "makes for uncomfortable reading".

He said: "I’m sorry if local people feel let down.

"I accept these are the Inspectorate’s findings, and I want to reassure our local communities we have already put plans in place to address some of the concerns raised.

“However, I feel strongly that the findings do not represent who we are as a service.”

The inspection took place in the summer; the service is now due to be reinspected to review progress.

In respect to the employment tribunal, Mr Shilton said it was "deeply regrettable" that the female firefighter had experienced "inappropriate and unwanted behaviour".

He added: "The individual who displayed much of these inappropriate behaviours... no longer works for the service and hasn’t for a period of time, after robust action was taken to dismiss him following an internal investigation."

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

9

n NEWS

School bus changes SCHOOL bus timetables for children attending Winterbourne Academy are being changed in the New Year.

Controversial 'stacking' of services, which meant some children were arriving at school an hour before the start of lessons and others were arriving late, are being reversed.

A regular bus service is being diverted to take children from Coalpit Heath to the school, so their school bus and driver can be used elsewhere.

South Gloucestershire Council, which is responsible for subsidising services, says it has been liaising with the school, bus operators and West of England Combined Authority to make changes which will be in place for the beginning of the new term in January.

The 427 from Frenchay will revert to last year's timetable, arriving at the school at 8.15am and leaving at 2.50pm.

The 459 from Lyde Green, via Emersons Green and Bromley Heath, will also revert to last year's timings, arriving at school at 8.15am and leaving at 2.50pm.

However there was no announcement of a return for

the 458 route from Fishponds and Downend, which the school diverted its post-16 students' bus to cover in September.

The latest changes are possible because the 427 and 459 no longer have to share buses with the 460 school bus route from Coalpit Heath to Winterbourne.

The 460 is being withdrawn because a scheduled bus service, the Y6, is being diverted to cover its route at school run times.

Council cabinet member Chris Willmore told a meeting in December that the new services would be "better for parents".

Cllr Willmore said a lack of school places, due in part to delays in building a new school at Lyde Green, meant the council administration had "picked up a historic nightmare" in relation to school transport.

She said: "We’ve been doing our best to rescue school transport and buses."

The council recently announced that it is moving forward with plans to build a new secondary school at Lyde Green, which is due to open in September 2026.

Pothole emergency A WINTER emergency could be declared in South Gloucestershire as the road network suffers from record high levels of potholes.

The council has warned “extreme weather” over the next three months could mean the roads would deteriorate much faster than they can be fixed, with potential restrictions put in place.

In a worst-case scenario, drivers could be restricted from using certain roads on safety grounds until they can be repaired, according to a report to the council's December cabinet meeting.

Officers said the current "core spend" on roads is "approximately a third of what is required to keep steady state".

This, along with increasingly extreme weather events and climate change, "has meant that it has become impossible to maintain the local network in a steady state condition".

Last winter was a “key turning point in the state of the network”, according to council data, and roads in South Gloucestershire have not recovered since then.

About 100 reports of potholes are normally received in October, however in October 2023 the council received 900.

This year reported defects peaked in South Gloucestershire in April, at over 2,000.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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fromevalleyvoice

10

January, 2024

n NEWS

Santas roll through Winterbourne

WINTERBOURNE Academy hosted the Santa's on a Bike fundraising event for charity Children's Hospice South West for the third year running in December.

Students, staff and parent volunteers welcomed almost 1,000 'Santas' and their motorbikes, scooters, trikes and quads to the school, greeting them with mince pies, hot drinks and some warmth as they prepared to ride from the school to the charity's Charlton Farm hospice at Wraxall.

The event had raised more than £20,000 in sponsorship as the Voice went to print.

Associate assistant head teacher Sarah Webber said: "It's a privilege to host such a wonderful event for a very worthy cause, and the school community loves to get involved by making sure the Santas are looked after!"

A Year 10 student said: "It was really fun making hot chocolate for the Santas and giving out mince pies."

Organisers praised the "warm welcome" they received from pupils and staff, saying: "The kids were a real credit to the school and braved the cold to make sure we were full of mince pies before we left for the ride. It's great to be back here again this year for such a good cause."

(Left) A Santa ready to roll. (Right) Winterbourne students served mince pies to the bikers

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fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

11

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Schools celebrate Christmas traditions Schools in the Frome Valley celebrated Christmas with some traditions loved by children, teachers and parents alike. Pictures from St Michael's C of E Primary School in Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell Primary School

St Michael's C of E Primary CHILDREN from St Michael's C of E Primary school joined with their families and the community for a Christingle service at St Michael's church.

Year 5 teacher Laura Tye said: "When thinking about the orange representing the

world, the children excelled at delivering the message of how precious and unique our planet is.

"During a short ceremony to celebrate the runners up and winners of the church Christmas card design competition, we were

very proud to discover that two members of Year 5 were prize winners.

"You may even have had a card that they designed land on your doormat during the festive period!"

The St Michael's Christingle

Frampton Cotterell C of E Primary NATIVITY plays by young pupils at Frampton Cotterell C of E Primary School charmed packed audiences of parents.

The Early Years Foundation Stage and separate Key Stage 1 performances were among many highlights of the run-up to Christmas that also included a Key Stage 2 Christmas concert by older pupils, and a Christmas lunch and jumper day.

Head teacher Debbie Fisher said: "All of the performances were fantastic and were filled with songs, humour and dance.

"The children performing in our KS2 concert at St Peter's Church did the school proud – well done everyone!"

The school also held a Christmas in a Box workshop, annual House Captain quizzes and a Friends Christmas Market to raise money

The Reception Nativity cast.

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to support the school.

Mrs Fisher said: "It was a really festive and fun event.

"All the money raised will be spent directly on the children and will have a direct impact on the educational experiences that they receive."

The Infant Nativity cast

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

12

January, 2024

n NEWS

Mayor's bus advert was 'unlawful' COUNCIL leaders say Metro Mayor Dan Norris unlawfully spent £10,000 of taxpayers' money on a bus advert for political gain.

A West of England Combined Authority committee comprising the leaders of South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils accepted the findings of a top WECA legal officer that the spending was “clearly” unlawful and that the bus “wrap”, which included photos of Mr Norris and his dog Angel, broke local government rules because it amounted to political self-promotion.

But because Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees refused to attend an emergency meeting on the issue on December 14 - branding the meeting “improper” and questioning whether it was itself lawful, the two other council leaders made no formal finding, did not place blame or order any sanction.

Mr Norris has denied any wrongdoing, insisting metro mayors are “meant to be visible”, and says he was not given the opportunity to be interviewed by the official carrying out the investigation.

A First double-decker was covered with a design featuring three pictures of Mr Norris, one measuring 3m (9ft 10in) high and the other

The advertising bus 'wrap' which cost £10,000 two 2m and 1m, and two images of his dog Angel, with a message on each side.

It included promotional messages for the Birthday Bus scheme and a bus driver recruitment campaign.

The advert was pulled by WECA chief executive Richard Ennis when he found out.

A report to the committee said Mr Norris issued a “direct instruction” to staff in the combined authority’s mayoral office to spend government money on the ad.

With Mr Rees’s absent and fellow Labour mayor Mr Norris required not to be in the room during the debate, the committee comprised

only South Gloucestershire leader Claire Young and B&NES leader Kevin Guy, both Lib Dems.

Announcing their decision, Cllr Guy said: "The committee is of the view that this expenditure was clearly unlawful, for the reasons set out in the report.

“However, we will not pass a formal resolution to that effect because we feel very strongly that a representative from Bristol City Council should have attended this meeting to contribute to the debate and the vote.

“Therefore we resolve to conclude the meeting having made no formal finding on unlawfulness."

The two leaders made a series of directions to WECA officials, including inviting external auditors to look into the episode, bringing in a code of practice for future mayoral marketing and making a detailed report on mayoral spending.

WECA's £675,000 mayoral budget is separate from its main budgets and covers the mayor's costs, office expenses and support, and funding four-yearly mayoral elections.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Smokers offered free vape kits to help them quit ALMOST half of all smokers in the Bristol region will be offered free vape starter kits on the NHS as part of a “world-first” drive to help people kick the habit.

The local health partnership has successfully bid for £2.2 million from the Government to pay for 60,000 devices.

The aim is to help smokers switch from cigarettes to vapes, which are considered much safer, the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Integrated Care Partnership board heard.

There are an estimated 144,320 tobacco users across the area, with 60 per cent of these in the city.

BNSSG has set itself a target to be “Smokefree” - which it defines as smoking rates of under 5% of the adult population - by the year 2031.

But this requires about 24,000 smokers to quit every year until then, the BNSSG board meeting was told on November 29.

The pioneering free e-cigarettes initiative, called Swap to Stop, was announced by the Government in April and the partnership's bid has just been approved.

Public health consultant Samuel Hayward told board members that Bristol had the highest smoking rate in the South West, caused partly by the legacy of the tobacco industry.

He said: “The evidence is clear that, for smokers, nicotine vaping is a far less risky option and poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking in the short and medium term.

"Vaping should be offered as an alternative for smoking but not as an activity which is appealing to the wider non-smoking population.

"Vaping is not for children – we need to reduce the uptake of vaping and the number of young people accessing vape products."

Mr Hayward said the vapes would be given out by existing

Reusable vapes like the one pictured will be offered to current smokers under the NHS plan. Picture: LDRS/Pixabay specialist stop-smoking services. said: "This is excellent and is really Director of public health Matt about what we have been trying Lenny said: "This is a significant to do." opportunity for us. We really welcome the change in policy and

By Adam Postans, Local investment in services."

Democracy Reporting Service Board chairman Jeff Farrar

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fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

n NEWS

Tributes to former leader FORMER South Gloucestershire Council leader Ruth Davis has died, following a short illness.

Politicians from all parties on the council have paid tribute to the former Yate Central ward councillor, who stepped down at May's local elections and was made an honorary Alderman in July in recognition of her 32 years of service.

She passed away on December 2.

First elected to the predecessor Northavon District Council in 1991, Ruth was a founder member of South Gloucestershire Council in 1996 and went on to be the council's leader between 2005 and 2007.

She served as chair - the council's equivalent of a mayor from 2021 to 2022.

Ruth led the council's Liberal Democrat Group for 13 years and is said to have "supported a strong theme of partnership working" during her time as a councillor.

Current council leader and fellow Lib Dem Claire Young said: "Ruth made a huge contribution to our communities over the 32 years she served as a Councillor, including as Leader and as Chair.

"She was always incredibly generous when it came to helping others and I know many of us will greatly miss her friendship and wise counsel."

Council co-leader and Labour councillor Ian Boulton said: “Ruth epitomised the way we

Ruth Davis have long tried to work in South Gloucestershire, as someone who worked for the benefit of our community regardless of any political differences.

"She encouraged, supported and provided respected advice to many of us and, while we have lost a political opponent, we have also lost a friend."

Conservative group leader Sam Bromiley said: "Ruth was a very able and hard-working councillor and former leader of the council, and was respected by colleagues from all parties and by members of the wider community."

13

School finances crisis

A SOUTH Gloucestershire head teacher says the area's schools are "hanging on by a thread" as their finances hit a crisis point.

Pippa Osborne, who is the head of Christ Church Junior School in Downend and chairs the South Gloucestershire Schools Forum, said heads "can’t focus on providing the best possible education for our pupils or provide good working conditions for staff because we are constantly worried about money".

And the council says children are having to wear coats during lessons at some schools, which cannot afford to turn the heating up in winter.

School leaders have teamed up with the council to launch a campaign demanding more money from Whitehall.

They say the financial situation is so bad because the district is the worst-funded of all 151 education authorities in the country.

Drastic cuts they say are being made, in both council-maintained and academy schools, include recruiting apprentices instead of fully-qualified teaching assistants,

laying off lunch supervisors, cancelling school trips and clubs, and breaching legal class size limits.

Mrs Osborne said: “Schools are doing incredibly well to appear on the surface to be okay, but too many of my colleagues tell me that they are hanging on by a thread."

Council-maintained schools receive their money from Government via the council, while academies get theirs directly from the Department for Education.

But in either case, in South Gloucestershire, this funding is the lowest per pupil in the country, at £5,233 per pupil.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “School funding is rising by over £3.9 billion this year compared to 2022/23. This includes an extra £4m for mainstream schools in South Gloucestershire for 2024/25, an increase of 2% per pupil compared to 2023/24, and an increase of 13.5% per pupil compared to 2021/22."

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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14

fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

n LOCAL PLAN

Have your say on thousands of new homes PEOPLE are being urged to have their say over where thousands of new homes should be built over the next 15 years.

The 'preferred' version of South Gloucestershire Council's Local Plan, a blueprint for future development, proposes allowing 235 new homes to be built on fields around Winterbourne between 2025 and 2040.

Another 150 could be built around Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath, while 800 could be built at Henfield, between Westerleigh Road and the M4.

The council is holding a series of meetings in January, to explain why it believes it has to build on greenfield sites and to listen to residents' ideas.

It has also produced a series of alternative views of where homes could go if it pursued a different strategy - including a 'no Green Belt loss' vision that would involve building just 89 homes in the Frome Valley, off Park Road in Coalpit Heath.

The plan also includes suggesting where new jobs are needed and the infrastructure to support them, including business developments, schools, retail centres and park & ride facilities.

It also sets out measures to preserve and protect nature and the environment locally.

A public consultation is now underway and the council wants as many people as possible to comment on the proposals before it closes on February 7.

The council says it has to find new sites for 9,260 new homes to help meet a target of 20,490 homes in the district between 2025 and 2040.

Leaders believe at least 7,813 new homes will need to be built on greenfield land outside the existing urban area and towns, "some of which is currently designated Green Belt".

A further 8,080 homes already have planning permission and 3,150 will be built on small sites not included in the plan.

The council has posted a series of maps and web pages explaining the thinking behind its 'emerging preferred strategy', which includes 70 homes on land between Bristol Road, Mill Road and the railway line in Winterbourne, and 70 west of Winterbourne Hill, behind homes in Beacon Lane. Another 20 would be built at York Gardens.

In Frampton land south of Perrinpit Road, by the Bristol Road junction, is suggested for 60 homes.

Another 90 would be built off Park Lane, south of the new homes at Park Leaze.

Further afield, 800 homes would be built on land north of Lyde Green, near Henfield business Park and the South Gloucestershire Showground, and another 800 at Woodlands Golf Course, possibly

between the edge of the Kendleshire Golf Club and Westerleigh oil terminal, around Henfield.

The third, called 'Transport corridors', would involve building homes on greenfield sites near main roads, including around 3,250 in the Frome Valley and almost 1,900 on the western fringes of Yate, on several sites stretching from Abbotswood to Iron Acton.

Potential development sites for Frampton and Winterbourne in the council's 'preferred' strategy are shown in blue rising to 1,230 after 2040.

'Challenges' must be faced

The council cabinet member with responsibility for the new Local Plan, Chris Willmore, says the authority has to "tackle several challenges", including deciding where and how the next generations will live while preserving the area's "wonderful environment".

She said: “The ideas we are putting forward in this consultation are our emerging preferred strategy.

"That means the council hasn’t made any decisions yet, but we want to talk with our communities about these ideas and to hear theirs.

“When we say it is ‘preferred’, that simply means that we think the approach we’re presenting is a positive way of meeting our collective needs in response to the challenges we are all facing together.

"Those include the cost of living crisis, the risk of dramatic changes to our climate and environment, and the need for more homes that people can afford to live in.

"But we are still open to hearing more ideas. We want to know where people think this draft plan is right and where it can be improved."

Alternative views

How to find out more THE council is inviting comments on the Local Plan until February 7.

Full details have been published online at www.southglos.gov.uk/ newlocalplan.

People who are not online can call the council on 01454 868009.

A series of drop-in meetings are being held, including: January 11: Tesco Extra in Yate, 9am-5pm January 12: Charfield Hall, 4-7pm January 17: Mangotsfield Football Club 4-7pm January 19: Emersons Green Village Hall noon-3pm January 23: Almondsbury Old School Hall, 4.307.30pm January 30: Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, 4-7pm.

Online events on January 10 and 16, from noon to 2pm and 6.30-8.30pm can be accessed via the plan's web page.

The alternative 'Transport corridors' plan would see more than 3,200 new homes built around Frampton, Coalpit Heath and Winterbourne

The online consultation includes three alternative views, called 'lenses', which show other ways the housing could be planned if the council did not go ahead with its preferred strategy.

One is called 'No Green Belt Loss', and would involve just 89 homes being built off Park Road, Coalpit Heath.

Another is called 'Urban Edge' and would concentrate new development in Green Belt land next to existing built-up areas: there would be no new development in the Frome Valley but 288 near Hambrook and 1,366

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fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

15

n LOCAL PLAN

Campaigners react to Local Plan TWO groups based in the Frome Valley have reacted to the new South Gloucestershire Local Plan and its suggestions for development. The Voice is publishing their responses.

VALID

Villages Against Locally Intended Development welcomes the progress on South Gloucestershire’s Local Plan, an important document setting out new proposals for homes, jobs, infrastructure and nature for the next 15 years.

Now we are urging local people to take this opportunity to make their voices heard.

Getting up-to-date protections in place is the best way to bring an end to the pernicious proposals for ad hoc and inappropriate development that have been threatening our Green Belt and green spaces.

Places for new homes, jobs and infrastructure are essential – but so are spaces and protections for our natural environment and historic and built heritage.

VALID is very pleased to see that the Frome Valley Green Belt around Frampton Cotterell and Iron Acton would be largely protected by these proposals.

Members of VALID are calling on you to respond to the Local Plan consultation It welcomes the commitment developments at the corner of to a Strategic Green Bristol and Perrinpit Road in Infrastructure Network, to Frampton Cotterell, off York protect and enhance our most Road in Winterbourne, and off important green and blue areas, Dyers Lane in Iron Acton. and the wild animals and plants There are further proposals that rely on these. Importantly, for green field development off this includes the River Frome, Park Lane in Frampton Cotterell Ladden Brook and much of their and on Engine Common in Iron surroundings.

Acton. This is very concerning.

However, the draft plan Helpfully, however, land near would see a significant loss of the Ring O’ Bells at Roundway in Green Belt land to development, Coalpit Heath is not included – a particularly in Winterbourne. victory for local campaigning.

Locally, it includes proposals VALID wants to see changes for individual Green Belt in the proposals, including:

FRAMPTON NATURE

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is currently undertaking consultation on the Local Plan, which sets out a blueprint for development until 2040.

We’re pleased that the plan does not propose development alongside the River Frome or east of Coalpit Heath, but we’re concerned that the plan does not do enough for nature.

Our recommendations are: *We think the plan should set out in more detail what will be done to deliver nature recovery and public access to nature. *The West of England Joint Green Infrastructure Strategy includes nature recovery ambitions, such as doubling the amount of land managed for environmental gain and doubling the abundance of wildlife by 2050. The Local Plan should include specific and measurable targets and commitments. *The government have committed to protecting and managing 30% of UK land and sea for nature by 2030. Currently a maximum of 6.5% of land in England meets the criteria.

The plan should seek to dramatically increase

the area of land which is protected and managed for nature. *We’re concerned about the impact of amending the Green Belt and building thousands more houses on greenfield sites.

The plan must ensure that remaining Green Belt is not weakened, and a precedent is not set which allows development on other sites. *We don’t think there should be a net loss of Green Belt land. Any losses should be offset by extending the Green Belt elsewhere. *The Strategic Green Infrastructure Network has been identified as important for nature connectivity and prioritised for biodiversity investment, but development is still planned within it. This must be limited, and subject to conditions which ensure considerable gains for biodiversity and public access to nature. *Restoring our lost wildlife is a key part of restoring functioning ecosystems. South Gloucestershire Council should develop a rewilding policy and proactively support the reintroduction of lost species. *The Local Plan should require a

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*The like-for-like extension of the Green Belt to compensate for proposed losses to development, including extending it to cover land west of North Road in Engine Common. *Revision of the boundaries proposed for the Strategic Green Infrastructure Network to cover land important for the protection of our most important and biodiverse areas, including all of the proposed Frampton End Farm nature reserve between Frampton Cotterell and Iron Acton *Increased protection for smaller but still important pockets of open, biodiverse and heritage land threatened by development, including the land near the Ring O’ Bells in Coalpit Heath and the woodland between North Road and Engine Common Lane in Iron Acton.

This plan will affect all of us and our families. It will determine which places will see development and which will be protected through until 2040.

Please find the time to make your views known.

You can see the proposals (and access the questionnaire) at consultations.southglos.gov.uk/ LPP3/consultationHome Dave Hockey

20% Biodiversity Net Gain for all new developments, rather than the minimum 10%.

Other councils have done this. *Planning needs to be based on better ecological data. More needs to be done to maximise public engagement with citizen science to survey and monitor nature across the county. *Better public access to nature is vital.

The Green Infrastructure corridors should be altered to ensure there is easy public access to the areas which are being prioritised for biodiversity investment.

We want to see the open areas to the north of Frampton Cotterell and east of Coalpit Heath included in the network, as these are significant areas for biodiversity, connectivity and public access to nature. We’re particularly concerned that the area around Frampton End Farm has not been included.

If you share any of our concerns then please let the council know by responding to the consultation at tinyurl.com/2h7yux2m by February 7.

David Hanks

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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18

January, 2024

n LOCAL MP

Making 2024 the year of the health centre I HAVE made one New Year’s resolution this year: to secure the funding we need to get Thornbury Health Centre built, and ensure that 2023 is the last year when people asked: “Will the redevelopment of Thornbury Health Centre actually ever happen?”

After securing the first 10% of funding needed to rebuild Thornbury Health Centre, in November, I have now met with the new Secretary of State for Health, Victoria Atkins MP, to discuss how quickly the redevelopment can begin once and for all.

The funding we have been awarded, of £1.3m, follows a decade-long campaign, a debate in Parliament on

Thornbury Health Centre, which I led last year, and a petition calling for an upgraded health centre, which proved community support.

Local NHS officials are now using this money to work on the final details of exactly what the new health centre will look like, which health services will be available on the site and setting out how long the rebuild will take once we get the full amount of money.

This work should pave the way for us to secure the remaining sum of £13m to get on with the redevelopment.

When I met the Health Secretary recently, I explained that the new health centre would massively enhance

outpatient services, mental health support and increase GP capacity in the area – all of which are under strain.

I have also made it clear that the remaining preparatory and background work should be sped up, so the rest of the money can be agreed without delay.

We cannot lose this momentum and, entering 2024, I will be working on this issue every single day.

The progress we have made locally follows the publication of the Government’s Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, alongside an investment of £1 billion to deliver 5,000 more hospital beds than planned, and to put over 800 more ambulances on

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

the road.

This will speed up discharge from hospitals, free up beds for patients needing urgent and emergency care and, ultimately, reduce pressures on hospitals.

It’s been a long road, but we are another step closer to delivering a new Thornbury Heath Centre. My resolution is to get the money we need and make this happen, and I won’t stop fighting until we have finally secured the health services that our community needs.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

19

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Fixing gadgets, helping the planet WE have had a busy year in the Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environmental Group.

Some of our committee have been elected into Winterbourne Parish Council, and we’ll be aiming to step up nature protection efforts in 2024.

We’ve also really enjoyed working with the Frome Valley Growing Project on our new Frome Valley Pollinator Pathway project, which has been funded by the West of England Combined Authority.

We’ll be looking forward to collaborating with local schools and community groups to plant more pollinator-friendly plants for wildlife this year.

Our monthly repair café has also been going from strength to strength, with 10 events over the last year, attempting repairs on 89 items, with 75 successful repairs.

That’s an 84% success rate, saving carbon emissions, reducing landfill, and making locals very happy!

The repair café is held in partnership with All Saints Church in the Winterbourne Down Church Hall, and forms part of the Eco Church efforts for the Fromeside Benefice. It runs on the third Saturday of each month, with the next event on January 20.

We have a variety of repairers, with a huge range of skills, who can attempt a repair on well-loved goods.

The most popular repair type is electricals, with 65% of repairs fixing electrical goods.

(Left) A slow cooker receives attention at the repair cafe (Right) This music box was fixed at the repair cafe Next up is textiles, with sewing accounting for 15% of repairs.

Then we have mechanical/ joinery fixing, making up 12% of our custom.

A great example would be the repair of much-loved ladybird music box, where the music mechanism had snapped.

Repairer Paul managed to make a new part for the pulley, repair the music box, and stitch back together the outer cover, making a little girl very happy!

We will be expanding our repair skills this year thanks to a collaboration with UWE Bristol’s Repair Café, working with the School of Engineering and student engineers.

We’ve also joined the Restart Project, which has a 'fixometer' to measure waste saved from landfill; the first month of the new reporting year was our busiest yet, with 15 items brought for repair, at a total weight of almost 20kgs.

Every item saved from landfill

means lower emissions from reduced production of new goods, and less emissions produced by rotting waste heaps.

That all adds up to some busy climate action, as well as a great community of skilled repairers!

If you’d like to join our community or fix some belongings, then come along to our repair café in January!

Laura Fogg-Rogers Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environmental Group

Conversations with Winterbourne councillors RECENT conversations with three councillors focussed on the wide range of consultations ongoing.

The South Gloucestershire Council budget consultation, which closed in December, is caused by further central government grant reductions of over 50% over the last 10 years.

It asked about other funding sources, such as charging for parking, which was not positive for its impact on Winterbourne shops.

Cuts of £400,000 were sadly being proposed for those getting rates reductions who are struggling with low income.

The Draft Local Plan consultation, which ends on February 7, is about new housing sites around South Glos for 20,000 new homes.

There are three ‘lenses’ in the phase 3 review, of which the transport corridor lens has large areas of potential development sites around Winterbourne.

Whilst housing can meet local demand, keep local businesses and services viable, it was generally seen as not acceptable on greenbelt land, with its impact on the landscape, increasing local traffic and food growing potential.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Please make your views known or development could happen.

The Library savings consultation ends on January 10 and aims to save £400,000 a year, with large impacts on Winterbourne, including a reduction in staffing from three to two per shift and from three and a half to two and a half days' opening.

This is a halving of staffing, and views are sought on what effects this will have, including the social aspects such as on the Warm and Well scheme, a safe/dry space for school children awaiting collection, support to school reading

programmes and audiobooks for the vulnerable.

Consultations on the Late Night Street Lighting and VCSE grants will affect particular people and places, so you are encouraged to reply.

Lastly, waste recycling proposes a soft plastics collection (30% of black bin content from trials) and thus a reduction in black bin collection to once every three weeks, as in Somerset, to save costs.

Peter Bruce

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

20

January, 2024

n NEWS

Detectorist sells finds for £12,000 A METAL detectorist who uncovered a cache of gold and silver jewellery has sold his find - for £12,000.

David Upton, from Staple Hill, discovered the jewellery buried in a field at Hambrook in September, in two silver-plated pots.

Some of the jewellery appeared to be recent and the Voice contacted Avon & Somerset police on Mr Upton's behalf, sending pictures of the jewellery so that an officer investigating a recent burglary in the area could check them with the victims.

He was not informed of any link to the crime and has now sold the buried items to a jeweller, who paid him £12,000.

Mr Upton searches local fields with permission from landowners.

Often the items he finds do not have a great value but he shares the money from any that are sold equally with the landowner.

He found the jewellery around 18 inches underground, at a spot that was overgrown with grass and did not appear to have been recently disturbed.

The two pots contained around 50 items in total, including rings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces and an antique brooch with a lock of hair.

They were divided into gold and silver items, including three 18 carat gold link chain necklaces, 13 women's gold rings, a 14ct gold pendant with yellow and white diamonds and a gold signet ring with a cross design.

(Right) David Upton with the two pots the jewellery had been buried in. (Below) Some of the gold rings discovered

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

xxx

We all need help with our resolutions First of all, on behalf of the churches of Fromeside I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed to the Comfort and Joy 2023 appeal.

Because of printers' deadlines, I’m writing this quite early in the appeal, but already you had raised almost £3,000. I’m sure Father Ben will give a final update in the February article.

The Comfort and Joy appeal happens each Advent (December) and supports families who need a helping hand across Fromeside, working in partnership with our local schools, housing associations and health settings.

Since its launch during the pandemic, over 100 families have been supported by the money raised.

So, we’re into January 2024, into a New Year - where on earth did 2023 go?

New Year is often a time for fresh starts, and perhaps those dreaded

New Year’s resolutions, where you aim to make a change, do something different or perhaps try harder at something.

For much of 2023 I was trying to lose some weight and generally be healthier, and I did reasonably well, although there was another increase in the run-up to Christmas: too many of the carol service mince pies, chocolates and biscuits!

Come 2024 I’ll be at it again, striving to be ‘beach fit’ for the summer, even if I don’t actually make it to the beach.

I wonder what your New Year’s resolutions might be?

Trying to get healthier and fitter is often one many of us pick, so maybe I’ll be seeing you at the gym or parkrun. Perhaps it’s about trying to stop an old habit, or maybe even taking up a new one.

Resolutions are difficult to keep though, aren’t they? A bit of Google tells me that most people

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who make New Year’s resolutions have broken them by the end of January: that’s certainly been my experience most of the time!

It’s so much easier to stick with your resolutions if you’ve got someone there helping you along, supporting you, and working with you.

I’ve tried to lose weight quite a few times, but I’ve been more successful this time because as a family, together, we’ve made better choices about the food we’ve made, rather than me trying to do it alone.

Those who try to stop smoking are statistically more likely to succeed if they seek NHS support rather than going alone.

For many of us that support will come from family, friends, or health professions.

For those of us with a faith, we also know that God is with us too.

When Paul wrote to his friends in Philippi, he reminded them that

Rev Leigh A Maydew Minister, Salem Methodist Church, Watley’s End

we "can do all things through him who strengthens" us.

This New Year, may you find the help and the support you need to keep the resolutions you’ve made, wherever that support might come from.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

21

n NEWS

Inspector throws out ‘car dependent’ housing A PLANNING inspector has dismissed an appeal by developers over plans to build 180 homes in a South Gloucestershire village.

More than 600 people objected to Bloor Homes’ proposed housing estate on four agricultural fields west of Sodbury Road in Wickwar.

South Gloucestershire Council opposed the application but the company lodged an appeal, prompting an eight-day public inquiry in October and November, which began with ward Cllr Adrian Rush presenting an 800name petition against the plans.

A government-appointed inspector has now thrown out the scheme because it would be car dependent and cause visual harm to the landscape and a nearby Grade II-listed farmhouse.

In his report, inspector David Prentis said: “My overall assessment is that the adverse effects of this appeal proposal would significantly

and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

Council leaders have welcomed the decision and said it “protects a vital green space”.

Mr Prentis’s report said the development would “fail to preserve the setting” of the listed South Farmhouse and would “result in harm to its significance”.

It said that it was doubtful that a proposed local convenience store would be created and that the new residents would still travel elsewhere for shops, jobs, education, health services and leisure facilities.

The report said that despite investment from Bloor for a bus service, it would be loss-making and require a “significant level of public subsidy”, even if it was more frequent and had a more direct route.

Mr Prentis wrote: “The great majority of trips outside the village made by future residents of the appeal site would be made

by car.

“I conclude that the appeal proposal would not contribute to the objective of limiting the need to travel.

“Nor would it offer a genuine choice of transport modes for destinations outside Wickwar.

“The proposal would be almost entirely car dependent, such that there would be no meaningful sustainable transport solution.”

His report said the development would “radically change the landscape character of the site” and have a “significantly harmful effect” on the Wickwar Ridge and Vale Local Character Area.

Mr Prentis judged that the council did have a five-year supply of land for housing, which previous planning inspectors have disagreed with when upholding recent appeals.

South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member with responsibility for planning Cllr

Chris Willmore (Lib Dem, Yate North) said: “This is brilliant news for the community – it protects a vital piece of land.

“I sat through much of the inquiry and saw the level of argument the developers were putting, and officers really did well.”

Cllr Rush (Lib Dem, Chipping Sodbury & Cotswold Edge) said: “In winning this appeal we’ve protected a vital green space and the village.

“I would like to thank all the residents who campaigned alongside me to deliver this result.”

Bloor Homes’ barrister told the inquiry that consent should be granted because the local authority had failed to provide enough homes or affordable housing and that there was no prospect it would do so.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

22

January, 2024

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

A breakfast treat that's easy and healthy

EVERY January many people join the gym, with very good intentions of losing the extra pounds they may have put on over the festive season.

They sign up to an expensive gym membership, but more than 90% of people have quit within three months - quite an expensive mistake!

Now, I’m not saying don’t join the gym, but I am saying that this isn’t the only way to improve your fitness.

Small changes in your lifestyle can make a big difference. Walk to the shops if they are not too far away, instead of taking the car. If you are using your car, park it a bit further away from the entrance.

Use stairs rather than escalators, and don’t leave stuff at the bottom of your stairs - walk it up every time.

Food choices, of course, are vital here.

We are what we eat, as the saying goes. So, try and make what we put into our body healthy and nutritious.

For instance, it’s a well-known fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Yet many adults and children skip this essential meal or have a poor one, like white toast and chocolate spread.

So why not try my nutritious breakfast muffins, filled with the good stuff - oats to keep you fuller

Ann Murray founded the Cooking4 Cookery School based in Chipping Sodbury. She’s teamed up with Frome Valley Voice to pass on her wealth of experience in the kitchen.

Serves 12 Ingredients:

for longer, a little honey instead of sugary breakfast cereals and, hopefully, some fruit?

They are quick to make, inexpensive and quicker in the breakfast bedlam than buttering toast.

Go on, give it a go!

They are very easy to make and will keep in a sealed tin for three or four days.

Why not get the kids to make them with you?

Breakfast muffins

These muffins are a bit of a treat for breakfast, or any time of the day when you need an energy boost.

The banana keeps the muffins moist and adds natural sweetness.

The oats give a slow release of energy, keeping you fuller for longer.

Blueberries are great here, but feel free to use other berries if you like: raspberries work well when in season. Pears are also delicious in autumn/winter, when they are at their best.

* 100g rolled oats. * 120g self-raising wholemeal flour. * 2 tsp baking powder. * 1 tsp ground mixed spice. * 1 tsp ground cinnamon. * 250g Greek yoghurt * 120ml whole milk. * 50ml vegetable oil. * 3 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten. * 2 tbsps vanilla extract. * 2 tbsps honey * 300g bananas (about 2 large), mashed. * 150g fresh blueberries.

For the topping: * 30g mixed seeds. * 1 tbsp rolled oats. * 1 tbsp demerara sugar Here’s What You Do: 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Have ready a 12-hole silicone muffin tray if you have one, or line a standard muffin tray with

silicone or paper muffin cases.

2: Tip the oats into a food processor and blitz to the consistency of flour.

Add all the remaining ingredients, except the mashed bananas and blueberries, and blend until smooth.

3: Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and fold through the mashed bananas and blueberries.

Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cases.

4: For the topping, mix the seeds, oats and sugar together. Sprinkle over the tops of the muffins.

5: Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes or until the muffins are risen, golden and cooked through.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool a little. Eat while still warm if you can.

Cook’s Tip: If you don’t have a food processor or blender to blitz the oats you can use 100g of plain flour instead.

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Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

23

n LETTERS Lorries a danger at Damsons Bridge

A lorry mounts the pavement approaching Damson Bridge I'M sure I’m not the only one with pictures like this or the one in your article ('Do something about Damsons Bridge' - Voice, December).

I’m also sure it won’t be the last time I see it happen. This has got to stop before there is a really serious accident.

There have been many accidents in the past but this isn’t helping.

It puts everyone at risk: pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

There needs to be better signage and education for lorry drivers and the haulers alike.

Karen Bidwell

Second bridge is the answer Re: Damsons Bridge. Probably, the opening procedure would be to make the bridge tidally one-way, and controlled by traffic lights, with a pedestrian override.

That would, of course, mess up traffic flow, but that in itself would improve safety.

Then a second bridge is required: the best scheme would be a one-way system, where eastbound use one bridge and westbound, the other.

It might seem obvious to put the new bridge to the north of the old bridge, but that would effectively block off The Dingle, so I would suggest using The Dingle and Bury Hill as the break-off points for a new carriageway, about 10m to the south of the old road.

That should be doable without

too much disturbance to traffic or property.

Part of Folly Brook would need to be culverted, but only about 30m, so it would still be usable for wildlife, and the road could be built over the culvert, thus only using wild land.

Yes, access to The Dingle would be awkward eastbound, but Bury Hill is far enough from the carriageway split to be unaffected.

The footpath on the north side of Down Road could be widened, and guarded with a crash barrier.

Fifty-five tonners should not be using this road anyhow, so making the old road one-way at the bridge shouldn’t be too much of a pain.

David Smith

Sign our petition on buses OUR bus services are in crisis many bus routes have been cut, leaving people stranded.

Buses are a public good and should be designed and run in the interest of public need.

Bus franchising is a regulatory system that allows for more public control of how the buses are run, meaning we can maintain essential routes and regulate prices.

You can help by signing the petition to put pressure on West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris, to investigate public control of buses as a solution to the current bus crisis.

You can find it online at qrs. ly/5yf10nb.

You can also get involved in the campaign, which is made up of a broad coalition of people from across the West of England - get in touch at reclaimourbuses.woe@ gmail.com to find out how!

Terry Stevens Reclaim Our Buses West of EnglandCarol Tremlin

Be a custody volunteer Being arrested and taken into custody can be a time of stress and when people are at their lowest ebb.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

That's why we have custody visitor volunteers, members of the public who can ensure the police are providing the level of care and respect that we expect.

These roles are vital in maintaining high standards of treatment and care for people who have been arrested and taken into custody.

I've launched a new campaign to recruit members of the public to be Independent Custody Visitors.

Each Independent Custody Visitor will do one visit per month in pairs at times to suit them.

They turn up, effectively unannounced, at any time and ask to view the custody records which show who is in custody awaiting a charging decision, court visit or to be released.

They then go and speak to detainees at random and ensure their welfare needs are being met.

We rely heavily on our volunteers to scrutinise the police and to provide an independent viewpoint.

If you have a sense of social justice and feel strongly about ensuring policing is fair for everyone please get in touch.

I encourage people from all backgrounds and ages to apply. You don’t need specific qualifications and we provide all the training you need.

For more information visit tinyurl.com/muvrdeps.

Mark Shelford, Police and Crime Commissioner Avon and Somerset

Mark Shelford

Get help with energy bills ANYONE in South Gloucestershire needing help with problems

related to energy bills should seek advice at the earliest opportunity.

Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is offering help specifically for issues related to energy bills, as we expect higher energy bills this winter than last.

This is because despite the Ofgem price cap falling to £1,923 a year - there is no sign of an Energy Bills Support Scheme as was put in place last winter.

It’s important you come forward because there’s a lot we can do to help you.

We are able to contact the energy companies and improve things for you.

We also look at where you can save on energy usage, what domestic appliances are really expensive and inefficient to run.

We look at whether there’s things you can do to maximise your income - we look at the whole picture rather than just energy - and often improve people’s income by several hundred pounds or even a thousand pounds per year.

Anyone in South Gloucestershire seeking free, independent, impartial and confidential advice from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire can call 0808 278 7947.

Give us a call - we do come back to you, and we can help.

More details are available at www.southgloscab.org.uk Marion Straker Energy expert Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire

Become a lion LIONS are like-minded people who volunteer their time to: make a difference by helping those less fortunate than ourselves; help improve our local community; raise money for local and other worthwhile causes; form part of the world's largest service organisations, while making new friends and enjoying our social events.

You can find out more about the Lions organisation online at lionsclubs.org Your local Lions are based in Bradley Stoke - you can contact us via our Facebook page.

Chris Wells

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

24

fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

n WHAT'S ON JANUARY 2 n SINGALONG SPECIAL WITH THE JAYS AND JOY in new venue: Miners Social Club, Badminton Road, Coalpit Health, 2-3.30pm.

Live music; songbooks and refreshments provided. £5, carers free. All profits to registered charities, including UNICEF. Bring a friend for free. Contact Hilary on 07515 351813.

JANUARY 18 n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP meets at Bradley Stoke Community School, 7pm. Illustrated talk by Matthew Haydn Jeanes, 'My Work as an Artist'.

REGULAR EVENTS n MONDAY: WINTERBOURNE FLOWER CLUB now meets at WADCA in Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. Meetings are on the second Monday of the month between 2pm and 4pm. Call 01454 776753 for details. n MONDAY: WINTERBOURNE DOWN LADIES PROBUS CLUB meets at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. Talk

followed by refreshments, £3.50 visitor, £25 annual membership.

Call 01454 773647 for more details. n TUESDAY: WINTERBOURNE DOWN METHODIST CHURCHDrop in for free cup of tea and chat or play board games, every Tuesday from 2-4pm. n TUESDAY: SUNRIDGE GOLF CROQUET CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Coalpit Heath and has players at all levels. Learn how to play, club equipment is available to use.

Contact croquet@wilko.eclipse.co.uk or call 07977 201440. n TUESDAY - CRAFTING: Come and join our group of crafters on the first Tuesday of every month in the Red Brick Annexe, Manor Hall, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2TG from 2-4pm. Bring your own project. £4 per session: Kay 07792189276. n OPEN DOOR at Winterbourne Down Methodist Church, Down Road, every Tuesday 2-4pm. Social gathering - enjoy tea, coffee, cakes, games, music and friendship, especially for those who live on their own.

n WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY: ADULT BALLET- COALPIT HEATH Improve fitness, strength, flexibility & coordination. No experience necessary. Wednesday 9.30am Beginners/10.30am Over 60s Ballet- St Saviours Church Hall.

Saturday 9.15am Beginners/ 10.15am Intermediate- Manor Hall. Book £5 trial. Contact georgiarsmart@yahoo.co.uk / 07751812701

n WEDNESDAY: GENTLE SHIBASHI TAI CHI AND RELAXATION, accessible to all, 10.30-11.30am and 11.45am12.45pm, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne.

Contact Jenny on 07855 560257or jksmith@blueyonder.co.uk for more information. n WEDNESDAY: TABLE TENNIS Henfield Hall, Ram Hill on the first Wednesday of the month, 2-4.30pm. All abilities welcome.

Equipment provided. £2 per session including tea, coffee, biscuits. For more details email henfieldhall@yahoo.com or call 0785 119 8434. n WEDNESDAY DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month from September to June at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. Call Genise on 0777 245 1217 for information. n THURSDAY: WINTERBOURNE WINDS, friendly amateur wind band rehearses at Holy Trinity Church, Bradley Stoke, every Thursday from 7.30-9.30pm.

New members welcome.

For more information email

winterbournewinds@yahoo.com. n THURSDAY: COELIAC UK LOCAL CAFÉ MEET-UP, every third Thursday of the month, 10-11.30am, at Iron Acton Garden Centre cafe. Join us to share experiences of living gluten free. For more details email volunteering@coeliac.org.uk. n THURSDAY: CROSSBOW CAMERA CLUB meets every Thursday evening at 7.45pm at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell. Small friendly group who enjoy looking at and taking pictures. Call 0789 026 6650 or just turn up for free taster sessions. n THURSDAY: HAMBROOK MEN’S PROBUS CLUB meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 10am-noon at Whiteshill Chapel, Hambrook, with a speaker at each meeting. Friendly group, new members welcome. For more details call the secretary on 01454 778250. n FRIDAY: FROME VALLEY ART GROUP meets at the Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne each Friday 2-4pm or 7-9pm. Thriving club with demonstrations and workshops from visiting professional artists. More details online at winterbourneart.uk or email fromevalleyartwinterbourne@gmail. com. n SATURDAY :WINTERBOURNE AND FROME VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP repair cafe, every third Saturday of the month, 10.30am, All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. Free electrical, textile and woodwork repairs, with voluntary donations going to the work of Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environmental Group.

n NEWS

£17,000 donation A CHARITY caring for people with dementia has been given a donation following a fundraiser by the owners of Westerleigh Crematorium.

Westerleigh Group pledged to make donations to specialist dementia nursing charity Dementia UK from its metal recycling scheme, which sells metals recovered during cremation with the consent of families.

Any money raised is used to support charities and other worthy causes which make a positive

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

difference to people’s lives.

The group chose Dementia UK during World Alzheimer’s month during the autumn, making a donation from the fund every time a family bought a memorial at one of its 40 sites around the country.

One in two people will be affected by dementia in their lifetime, and Dementia UK is aiming to increase the number of its dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, who provide life-changing advice and support to anyone affected by dementia.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

25

January, 2024

Credit where credit’s due

MANY of us enjoy a bit of television at this time of year.

Indeed, during the festive break, you might have seen one of the BBC’s headline offerings: Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster.

Like so many shows about animals and plants, David Attenborough’s was made right here in the West of England - to be precise, at Bristol’s world-renowned Natural History Unit.

Unlike in years past, today it has become difficult to know which are Bristol’s fantastic TV and radio productions from actually watching or listening to the programmes themselves.

Only those “in the know” are aware.

Why? Because, sadly, the BBC has erased its mention of Bristol from the end credits of such shows.

Remember when they used to proudly state “BBC Bristol”? Not anymore.

I think that needs to change. It’s time to credit Bristol again. From the

start, the credits showed Bristol back in 1957 when the unit was set up.

Its roots were formed in radio.

Because the BBC’s West Region in Bristol produced a popular radio series for the Home Service called The Naturalist, the city was well-placed to produce nature TV too. Bristol therefore became the obvious place to set up the Natural History Unit.

The rest, as they say, is history.

I certainly felt proud seeing Bristol mentioned in the credits of some classic programmes.

Think of shows like Animal Magic, which ran from the 60s through to the 80s. Natural history has always been an important part of children’s TV, sparking the imagination of so many. Chris Packham, who I know through my animal welfare work, saw his career launched in Bristol on The Really Wild Show, which ran for two decades.

David Attenborough is today a national, and global, treasure. But

back in the 50s, it was the Natural History Unit that allowed him to innovate to become that world pioneer in television.

The natural history made in the West has entertained, engaged, and enthralled audiences. We’re globally successful and multi-award-winning in this area.

Nowadays it’s not just the BBC but Channel 4 and even Disney who call the West of England home. In fact, 35% of all natural history content globally is made in our part of the world.

I have written to the BBC Director General to ask why the BBC decided to sever links with a region which was the birthplace of the Unit.

We’re more creative than ever but we’ve been erased! Why, when places like Cardiff and Salford are mentioned by the BBC so often, do they seemingly appear ashamed of Bristol when running their credits?

I want our great region to be recognised nationally and across the planet.

The Natural History Unit is

Metro Mayor

Dan Norris

writes for The Voice responsible for some of the most globally successful factual content of the past 60 years. That’s something to be proud of.

So, if you agree, please get in touch. Visit my website www. votedan.uk/creditbristolagain and tweet to @bbc #creditbristolagain to call for ‘Made in Bristol’ credits to be reinstated to all the BBC’s programmes made here.

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26

n WINTERBOURNE LIBRARY NEWS WINTERBOURNE Library wishes a Happy New Year to all our customers - and a huge thank you to everyone who completed the consultation on library cuts.

The library would no longer be staffed on Tuesdays under the proposals, with hours on Wednesdays and Fridays reduced to 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm.

The consultation runs until January 10. Forms can be found online at librarysavings. commonplace.is, with paper copies in the library.

Tea at 2 is every Friday afternoon from 2-3pm: drop in for a cuppa and a friendly chat.

Story time is every Friday from 9.30-10am, suitable for children aged 18 months to four years.

Lego club meets on January 20, from 10am to 11am, for children of all ages - all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Regular Rhymetimes take place on Wednesdays, 9.30am-10am.

Suitable for babies aged up to 18 months.

An adult craft group meets on January 13 and 27, from 10amnoon: join a friendly group of crafters to do your own work and chat – refreshments available.

Computer Thursdays take place during term time - enrolment with SGS College is required.

For further information contact Cindy on 0117 909 2296 or email cindy.corbett@sgscol.ac.uk.

A digital champion can help people get online, use a PC or phone or print documents. The volunteer is available on Fridays from 10am-noon: booking is essential.

The library is staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm, and on Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm.

Open Access is seven days a week between 8am and 7.30pm.

For more details of events or bookings, visit the library, email Winterbourne.library@southglos. gov.uk or phone 01454 868006.

More information is available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/ libraries or from library staff.

January, 2024

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Winterbourne Medieval Barn WINTERBOURNE Medieval Barn is now entering a quiet time of year, following December's Carols in the Barn.

It was wonderful seeing all who came along - we hope you all had a jolly time and left feeling as festive as we did.

Thank you to the performers from St Michael's Church, Winterbourne for entertaining us and leading in the carols all weekend and to our fabulous team of volunteers for helping these events take place so smoothly.

There are no talks or performances in January, as the barn is too cold for people to sit still for long.

Our January workshops are held in warmer rooms but have sold out; events for February and March are open for bookings now.

These include a whittling workshop on February 3 from 10am4pm, where Dan Bendel will teach how to whittle a sculptural figure or head with a knife from a single piece of wood. Bring a packed lunch.

On February 24 from 10am-4pm

you can learn how to graft apple trees, with Tim Andrews of Orchard Revival.

Tim will explain how and why we graft fruit, and you can make at least three newly-grafted trees to take home with you.

Our monthly talks return on February 26, when Philip Ashford will talk about piracy and war in the Bristol Channel from 1450 to 1680.

The talk is based on his own original research, some of which has not yet been published.

A range of notable events took place in the Bristol Channel between 1450 and 1700 involving ships from many nations.

Philip brings some of these events to light in a very visual style, and endeavours to explain the background. This talk is also livestreamed on zoom (pre-booking essential).

Doors and bar open from 6.30pm. Seating unreserved.

Booking advised. Free parking.

For more information and bookings, visit www. winterbournebarn.org.uk

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Have a say on your policing bill I HOPE you have been having a wonderful festive period.

I would like to start the New Year by thanking all the officers and emergency services staff who have worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe over this time.

The Police Funding Survey is now live online.

I encourage every resident to give their thoughts on my proposal to increase the policing part of the council tax, known as the precept, by £10 a year (that’s the equivalent of 83p per month) for the average Band D household. The survey will close on January 22.

Local policing is funded by a combination of people’s council tax (the precept), Home Office funding, and other grants.

The precept makes up 41% of police funding and I, as your PCC, am responsible for setting the amount of money residents

contribute to local policing through the precept.

You can access the link to the precept survey on the OPCC website, www. avonandsomersetpcc.gov.uk.

Last month, my office launched a new volunteer recruitment campaign, looking for members of the public from all backgrounds and walks of life to visit people in one of three custody centres we have in Avon and Somerset, in Keynsham, Patchway and Bridgwater.

These volunteer roles are called independent custody visitors, and they perform a vital role in ensuring people who are detained in custody following arrest are aware of their rights and are receiving what they are entitled to.

If you can spare two hours per month, at a time to suit you, to partner with another custody volunteer and undertake a visit,

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

please apply before 18 January.

No experience is necessary, just a commitment to seeing fair, efficient and effective policing in our communities.

Visit our website and go to the ‘Get Involved’ section to sign up.

I urge people to be extra careful when shopping online at any time, but particularly this time of year, as we see online shopping increase in the annual January sales. Many people are looking for bargains after the Christmas period and I warn shoppers: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

To protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime, I advise everyone to follow advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign: Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

With police and crime commissioner

Mark Shelford

Challenge: Could it be fake?

It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online, at actionfraud.police.uk, or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Email: contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice

January, 2024

27

n NEWS

Rocket Man needs more land A FARMER who escaped the Syrian civil war has started over at a sustainable food growing project near Frenchay.

Father-of-three Ali Al Hlayel settled in Bristol after arriving in the UK as a refugee.

He spent two years volunteering at Windmill Hill City Farm and at social enterprise Sims Hill Shared Harvest, based at the Avon Wildlife Trust's Grow Wilder project off Frenchay Park Road.

Having grown vegetables, wheat, and barley in Syria, Ali gained knowledge of the British climate and land so he could return to farming to provide an income for his family.

He then started his own venture at Grow Wilder, a six-acre site dedicated to wildlife gardening, wildflower growing and regenerative agriculture.

Last year he produced his first harvest. As organic rocket leaf was his "star performer" Ali called his business Rocket Man. After setting up an online fundraiser he raised more than £6,000 to buy a large polytunnel to help increase production and allow his business to operate all year round.

Ali, 40, supplies fresh organic vegetables to local restaurants and shops, and this year's

Ali Al Hlayel on his current plot near Frenchay harvest has also included tomatoes, radishes and courgettes.

He said: “The UK welcomed us as refugees.

"I was so worried about the new country, with a different culture and with no family or friends.

"Also I knew nothing about this new community but luckily, I was able to restart my journey as a farmer in the UK.” Now Ali is looking for new land as his small plot is not enough to sustain his young family.

He is seeking out a bigger plot, within North Bristol or South Gloucestershire to expand his business.

Steph Wetherell, of Bristol Food Producers, said: "Ali can manage 5000m of land by himself and is open to any contract type."

Anyone who can help should contact Ali at rocketmanproduce@gmail.com.

Ali is one of more than 640 migrant and refugee entrepreneurs from more than 15 different countries helped by a project called Migration Business Support (MBS), run by Bristol social enterprise Ashley Community & Housing in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority over the past two and a half years.

Bristol University has supplied business expertise as part of the MBS scheme, and researchers from the university, along with UWE and Aston University in Birmingham, have produced a report on how it has helped migrants and refugees to succeed and integrate.

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fromevalleyvoice

28

January, 2024

n COMMUNITY NEWS Frampton Cotterell WI

The prize hamper IN November, members greatly enjoyed our murder mystery night event - there was also a two-course meal on offer, whilst great fun was had by all in speculating as to whodunnit!

We held our AGM on the 28th, when members of the 20232024 committee were officially appointed and confirmed.

On December 5 we had our Christmas games and social evening, when the Christmas raffle winner was drawn for the annual hamper prize - a box stuffed full of M&S treats!

We’re now looking forward to 2024, when we have our annual New Year’s dinner on Tuesday January 30, again at the very popular White Horse at Hambrook.

Other New Year events to look forward to include a talk on the dangers of cybercrime from Avon & Somerset Police on January 23, needle felting on February 27, a talk on slavery by historian Margot Cevik on March 26 and a talk from David Hardill of Yate Heritage Centre, on WWI in Yate and Sodbury, on April 24.

We have many other events/ socials lined up for the year ahead, from visits to the theatre (including Hamilton in the spring) and trips for meals out to garden and historic visits.

We also have a monthly lunch club, held at a different local venue each time.

Watch this space and our Facebook page for more details.

®

Visitors and new members are welcome to our monthly meetings at St Peter’s Hall on School Road at 7.45pm, on the fourth Tuesday of the month, for a charge of £4.

If you’re interested in joining us you can also get in touch via our Facebook page. Special interest groups that meet separately including a book club, craft group, gardening group and our skittles and darts teams.

rejecting online gambling adverts and improving outcomes for women in the criminal justice system.

Federation holidays for 2024 were on offer for those members who wished to join members from across the area holidaying in Sussex and northern Spain.

Our group lunch is at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club in January.

As our speaker was unable to be with us we played ‘pass the parcel’ at each table, which caused much hilarity, then members were invited to relate their amusing Christmas stories.

The clear winner of this was the member who told us about their dog who had sucked all the chocolate out of the Christmas tree decorations!

Then it was refreshment time, with an amazing range of pastries, sandwiches and other savoury items to wonderful fancy cakes and desserts and wine or a soft drink.

The next meeting will be on Thursday January 11 at 7.30pm at St Michael’s School – visitors always welcome.

Susan Marshfield

Winterbourne Evening WI Christmas was on full show at our December meeting, with sparkly jumpers, Father Christmas hats, glittering table decorations and a ‘bring and share’ buffet, with all sorts of tasty food.

There was a limited amount of business, but members were reminded to cast their votes for one of four resolutions for the 2024 WI annual meeting at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

These range from dental health and poor housing conditions to

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January, 2024

n COMMUNITY NEWS Coalpit Heath WI

29

treated to an evening full of Christmas magic and community spirit.

This year’s Big Christmas Sing raised £887.30, to which will be added £105.33 in Gift Aid, a total of £992.63 - absolutely amazing!

Your support will bring lasting joy to those who will benefit from your kind donations.

Alison Bray

Winterbourne Down WI

WI star decorations on display THE first full week of December proved to be a busy one for Coalpit Heath WI. At our Christmas meeting we made paper star decorations for home, as well as some with string, sticks and foliage to go on the Badminton Road fence.

There was a Christmas hamper raffle, as well as secret Santa.

Some mulled mine helped us all keep warm, along with a variety of warmers and hot water bottles, as the hall was a little chilly.

Our service of carols and poems was held on Friday 8th and was well-attended. The first poem was read by our president in memory of Joan, who spent many years as part of our WI and previously held the role of organising the carol service for us.

The collection raised £123.40, which is being split between the church and the Marmalade Trust.

2023 has been a very enjoyable and successful year for Coalpit Heath WI. As well as our monthly meetings, the day trips and theatre group has been to events at the Hippodrome, visited Cardiff and Bath and had a guided tour of underground Bristol.

A small group has started going to parkrun each week and the book club meets every other month.

Members have enjoyed Christmas meals together and are looking to meet up once a month in the New Year, for a meal in a different venue each time.

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, come along and meet us: you would be most welcome.

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Saviour’s church hall at 7.45pm.

Our 2024 programme starts with Tai Chi on January 3, a ukulele evening on February 7 and needle felting on March 6.

You can find updates by searching @WICoalpitHeath on Facebook or @coalpitheathwi on Instagram.

Caroline Johnston

Big Christmas Sing for Christian Aid

A BIG thank you to everyone who came along or took part in our local churches’ Big Christmas Sing for Christian Aid! After a break of four years due to the pandemic, it was great to be back for our 12th concert, this year at Zion Church in Frampton Cotterell.

It was an evening full of wonderful singing, heralding the start of the festive season.

This year’s concert featured carols and songs from Junior FR, Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir, the Frampton Shantymen, Rhythm Mix and Crossbow Singers.

All the choirs were absolutely amazing, and the audience was

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

OUR table was laden with festive treats prepared by our members to share at our December meeting - our way of celebrating all things Christmas together.

We donned our Christmas jumpers and sparkles, and raised a glass to get us into the spirit of the occasion.

Our president, Margaret, gifted us all with a potted succulent, complete with Christmas embellishments.

Unfortunately, our booked speaker was unable to attend but we were happy to welcome Trevor Carter, a storyteller (although he would rather be known as a poet).

He performs in theatres, schools and also runs many workshops.

Trevor entertained us enthusiastically with his clever and topical poems. We were encouraged to join in with refrains which kept us all amused.

His finale was called Where there’s Tea, there’s Hope. This poem earned him the title of Storyteller of the Year and won him first prize in a storytelling competition.

Where there’s Tea, there’s Hope is also the title of one of the five books Trevor has published.

Our January meeting will be held on Thursday 4th.

Steve Slade, a representative of the Wheelchair Rugby Charity, will give us his talk, called ‘Flying Adventures’.

We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the All Saints Church Hall at Winterbourne Down, where all visitors will be made welcome.

Carol Tremlin

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January, 2024

n SPORT

Frampton Ladies side starts to take shape xxx

THE newly-formed Frampton Cotterell RFC Ladies team had their first intra-club fixture at Crossbow House in December.

Suggested as a bit of fun after the FCRFC juniors' end of season rugby presentation, the ladies team is really taking shape!

With a core group of around 20 training every Monday evening, the team have made great progress over the summer.

The majority were complete beginners, but with a love of rugby, so were quick to pick up the rules and start playing touch rugby matches during training.

It was then time to raise the stakes and set-up an intra-club fixture.

Following selection, Team Lilac and Team Green were formed.

Waking up to very frosty conditions on a Saturday morning, nerves were running high.

However, after a good warm-up, the encouragement of family and friends and a great team of coaches, the ladies kicked off.

With a couple of break-through runs and a solid defence on both sides, it was a tight game, ending in a draw.

A fantastic morning was had by all, and

Frampton Ladies' Team Lilac and Team Green it has given everyone a real buzz to see what can be achieved in such a short space of time.

Since the recent success of the Red Roses and popularity of Premiership Women's Rugby, it’s fantastic that our young players can see the club supporting this new venture of a ladies team.

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News From

LOCAL PLAY AREA SET FOR REVAMP

Become a Parish Councillor!

We have parish councillor vacancies! Could our next parish councillor be... you?

Why become a parish councillor?

Improve your CV Make positive changes to our village Support real, local people Work toward preserving and improving local nature and tackling wider climate issues Make friends, get involved with the community, and help organise fantastic local events ...and so much more!

To find out more, including whether you are eligible, visit our website or give us a call! www.framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk/vacancies

Climate & Nature Emergency: Our Declaration

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council has declared a Climate & Nature Emergency and approved a new Environment Policy. Both this declaration and our new environment policy tie in with our three-year Climate & Nature Action Plan, and reflect the parish council’s dedication to the protection of the environment. Included in our declaration and plans are targets to become carbon neutral by 2030, and to continue to enhance our local environment for nature.

To read our full declaration, environment policy, and three-year plan, please visit our website, at: www.framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk /climate-nature

Community Awards 2024

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council’s Community Awards seek to recognise the local people who go the extra mile for the village and its residents. Help us to publicly recognise outstanding local groups and individuals by submitting your nomination.

Nominations are now open, and will close on March 31st, 2024.

Find more on our website or get in touch with our Office Team.

01454 864 442

Delight at plans for new play equipment at Ridings Road.

As part of our ongoing assessment of play equipment in the village, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council is pleased to announce the installation of new play equipment at Ridings Road.

The new equipment will be installed, weather permitting, in January 2024.

This follows a survey conducted with parents and children of the parish who very kindly fed in what they would like to see.

This improved play area will cater for ages 5-12 years and will be inclusive to all users.

The project will cost in the region of £70,000 and has been made possible with a generous amount of funding.

The parish council’s Project Officer said:

We had a brilliant response to the survey with residents and children.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback. We were able to take on most comments received, and we hope to make further planting improvements in the future.

Art Competition Winners Congratulations to the six winners of our Local Nature Art Competition! The winners of the Over 16s Category were Alan Lang, Jamie Constable, and Christine Porter. The Under 16s winners were Seb, Archie, and Martha. Well done all!

Visit our photo gallery of the Frampton Cotterell Local Nature Art Exhibition, including the winning pieces, at www.framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk/ local-nature-art-exhibition-gallerycompetition-winners/

office@framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk

The parish council would especially like to thank the SUEZ Communities Fund for making this project possible.

We are extremely grateful for this fund’s generous contribution of £43,700, without which this project could not go ahead.

New signage will also be installed at the park, the purchase of which was made possible thanks to the generous external Member Awarded Funding in the amount of £500.

The parish council hopes that these play area improvements at Ridings Road will benefit the whole community and be enjoyed by the parish for years to come!

Carols Around the Tree On December 1st, the Parish Council hosted the 2023 Carols Around the Tree. This Christmas event was very well attended, and a good time was had by all!

We would like to thank the Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir for leading the community in carol singing, and to thank everyone who supported the event.

We would also like to thank everyone who gave generous donations and took part in our charity tombola together we were able to raise £264.31 for the Bristol Children’s Hospital!

www.framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk